This year's Riga municipal budget has allocated EUR 100,000 for updating the Northern Corridor documentation, Kristaps Kaulins, Director of the Riga City Council's Outdoor Space and Mobility Department, told the LETA in an interview. He explained that historically solutions had been developed for various sections of the Northern Corridor based on data on traffic intensity and forecasts during the "rich years." As a result, the solutions were very ambitious and complex. The municipality's task is to take a realistic look at existing and projected traffic flows and offer technical solutions with more realistic forecasts.

This winter has been cold and had a lot of snow. How is Riga coping with cleaning the streets and sidewalks?

This year has indeed been a very snowy and cold winter. However, if we look at the condition of the city streets and the number of complaints we receive, I still believe that, overall, we are coping well. Every day, considerable resources are invested in monitoring the situation and checking both our own work and that of contractors. Penalties are also imposed, currently totaling a little over EUR 8,000.

That is not much. How much is a fine?

It is up to EUR 1,000. That is less than ten fines in total.

What are the fines for? Poor treatment of sidewalks, streets, parking lots?

Both streets and sidewalks.

Do businesses then successfully and quickly remedy the situation, or are there still problems?

Yes. When it comes to sidewalks, the challenge is that we have had very long periods of frost below -10 degrees C. Given that we do not use pure salt on sidewalks, there is a public debate about why there is black asphalt on streets and bike lanes, while the situation on sidewalks is different. There are places where there is clean asphalt, places where there is a layer of compacted snow, and places where there is ice due to prolonged sub-zero temperatures. It must be understood that if we do not use pure salt on sidewalks, we cannot achieve black pavement everywhere. It is not possible to mechanically and centrally clean the entire city - it is neither economically nor financially feasible.

We cannot afford to clean the entire city within an hour. Currently, based on our calculations, with the existing amount of equipment, the city can be cleaned in six to eight hours.

A few years ago, it was decided not to use pure salt for treatment of streets. Do you think we should return to using pure salt and set standards for cleaning up to the surface?

I think that the policy change not to use pure salt on sidewalks is correct. The use of salt had a very negative impact on infrastructure and greenery, which had many consequences for the city.

Does this not increase the number of injuries? Do people slip and fall more often?

No. Reports from medical institutions about an increase in injuries are received during periods when the entire city is covered with ice "glaze". From a practical point of view, black, cleared pavement with a layer of ice is much more dangerous than pavement with even a thin layer of snow.

A tender has been announced for periodic renovation of road surfaces. This tender determines the amount of road repair work to be carried out. Will the tender be concluded on time and will it not delay the planned work?

A tender has been announced for the conclusion of a general agreement to select candidates who will then compete for specific objects. For the first time, the procurement was announced in the previous calendar year, with the idea that it would be in force by the start of the season and we could quickly conclude contracts for the execution of specific objects.

What will be the outcome of this procurement?

As a result of the procurement, two general agreements will be concluded - one for large objects and the other for small objects. In each part, bidders with appropriate qualifications will be selected, who in the second stage of the procurement will compete for contracts for the periodic renewal of specific objects within much shorter deadlines.

The 2026 street repair plan is ready. How extensive will the repairs be in Riga? Last season was pre-election time, and there were more repairs than in other years.

Relatively speaking. If we look at the data from previous years, the amounts allocated for street resurfacing reached EUR 20 million or more, but the actual amount spent was only slightly over EUR 10 million.

Why is there such a big difference? Were the contractors unable to complete all the planned work?

Various circumstances. This was both because the tenders were announced too late and the work could not be completed during the construction season, and because changes were necessary due to engineering communication failures and the need to restore them.

If we look at the statistics, the planned amount for 2024 was EUR 19 million, while the actual amount was EUR 15 million. In 2025, EUR 13.5 million was planned, while EUR 8.5 million was actually spent. Looking at 2026, the current funding allocation is EUR 12.4 million. It should also be noted that after the end of winter, winter maintenance costs will be calculated, and there may also be an opportunity to carry out minor road resurfacing works.

How much was allocated for winter maintenance?

A little over EUR 20 million.

Will it not be the case that all of this will be spent on winter maintenance and additional funds will have to be sought?

A little over EUR 10 million have been spent so far. By acting economically, it will be possible to find funds for other investment projects as well.

Can you name the largest projects, excluding the extension of the Dienvidu Bridge, which is a new construction?

This year, the reconstruction of the Zemitana overpass, the construction of the Kundzinsala overpass, 15 mobility points, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and landscaping projects in Riga-Ulbroka, Riga-Babite-Pinki (Imanta), and Riga-Kekava will be completed. The largest pavement renewal projects are on Ulmana Gate, Jaunmoku Street from Spice to Liepajas Street. This stage will also include repairs to the rainwater collectors, as they are in poor technical condition. Work is also planned on Granita Street and Mukusalas Street from the Akmens Bridge to the Salu Bridge. These are the three largest projects.

Lawmakers just decided to borrow funds for the repair of the Vansu (Suspension) Bridge. What will happen next when the work begins?

2026 is planned for design work. So far, a minimal construction project has been developed, outlining the main solutions that form the basis for the "design and build" procurement, so that bidders can submit their price offers.

A detailed design will now be developed, all technical specifications will be received, and the contractor will develop a detailed work organization plan, taking into account its technologies. Construction work will begin in 2027 and must be completed within two years.

The municipality's major investment plan also includes repairs to the Akmens Bridge. The amount is small, however, at approximately EUR 9 million for design and construction work. What work needs to be done on the Akmens Bridge?

This is not an investment plan in the context of the budget, but an action investment plan in which the city identifies all future needs. Like other traffic structures, the Akmens Bridge is periodically inspected by a certified bridge inspector. The inspection is carried out in accordance with regulations, and a certified person has provided recommendations on what should be done to the bridge. In 2025, an inspection of the Akmens Bridge was carried out. As a result, damage was discovered, and it is necessary to start thinking about renovating the bridge. The damage is related to wear and tear and damage to the pavement and waterproofing.

In the case of the Akmens Bridge, we are not talking about a complete reconstruction like that of the Vansu Bridge. Waterproofing is not a cosmetic issue though; if it is not restored, the condition of the bridge may deteriorate rapidly. When is work scheduled to begin?

The plan is to start organizing the design work this year. Further renovation work depends on when funding is available.

EUR 9 million is not such a large amount, and it can be found somewhere. Compared to the Vansu Bridge, it is considerably less.

Yes, but our list of projects also includes the Gaisa (VEF) overpass, the Zemgala overpass, the Altonava overpass, the overpass over Ulmana gatve on Bauskas Street, and the Barona Street bridge over the canal. The list is long, and it requires very careful planning.

When is the construction of the Austrumu (Eastern) Main Road crossing over Brivibas Street planned?

The city 2026 budget includes funds in the amount of EUR 300,000 for the start of design work.

A tender for a preliminary study has been announced this year. Several options will be evaluated - a single-level junction, a tunnel, or an overpass. I cannot say at this point which solution will be the best.

That is why a consultant is being brought in to evaluate them, as each solution has its pros and cons. When it comes to the tunnel, it must be understood that there are many challenges. There are quite a few engineering communications underground on Brivibas Street, and then we would either have to go very deep below them or find other engineering solutions. That is why it is logical to proceed step by step, conduct research, evaluate and understand the technical possibilities of different options.

How realistic is the creation of the Northern Corridor? Is work being done on it?

Funding for updating the documentation has been approved in this year's budget.

How much?

EUR 100,000 this year. Historically, solutions based on data from the "rich years" and forecasts have been developed for various sections of the Northern Corridor. As a result, the solutions were very ambitious and complex. Our task now is to take a realistic look at existing and forecast traffic flows and propose technical solutions with more realistic forecasts. This does not automatically mean reducing the number of lanes, but, for example, reviewing two-level junctions and their solutions.

As far as I understand, there is currently a strong emphasis on micro-mobility and public transport in Riga, but a large proportion of people who commute into the city every day are motorists. Are there any improvements planned for them too - highways, intersection redesigns to make it faster to get out of Riga?

Although there are often claims on social media that everything is being done only for pedestrians, cyclists, or public transport, if we look at the budget allocation, the vast majority of funding is invested directly in street infrastructure, resurfacing, and construction.

The largest projects, such as the fourth phase of the Dienvidu Bridge, are a direct investment in infrastructure for motorists. Pedestrians and cyclists account for a relatively small part of this. The same applies to the Zemitani overpass, which is mainly for motorists. When it comes to road resurfacing, most of the costs are also directly in the interests of motorists. Every year, regular investments are made in improving regulated intersections for both safety and traffic flow. New traffic lights are being installed, and smart traffic light control with sensors that monitor traffic flows and allow them to be optimized has been introduced. Several intersections are also scheduled for reconstruction in Riga this year. For example, traffic lights will be renovated on Brivibas Street from the VEF Bridge to Brivibas Boulevard to ensure a "green wave."